ICF old design coaches to undergo upgrade

The coaches of old design of Chennai based Integral Coach Factory (ICF) are likely to undergo an upgrade.

According to sources, this upgrade is being taken up under project ‘Utkrisht.’ Indian Railways is about to take up this work after the success of its earlier project ‘Swarn.’

While under the project, coaches of superfast and mail express trains will get an upgrade broadly, about 500 coaches of ICF will be upgraded in the second phase, say the sources.

The railways would upgrade about 140 rakes in the first phase that will likely witness completion by March of 2019. What will be done under this project? About Rs 60 lakh has been sanctioned per rake, interiors and exteriors will witness a change.

Official sources however remind that, the project will not be a retrofitting of old coaches, overall change would be witnessed in every aspect.

Dustbins will give way to garbage bags, the flooring of the toilet and coach will be changed if they are damaged, PVC flooring in toilets will be replaced with epoxy flooring. Faded coach panels will be replaced.

Even the seats will also get something. Torn seats and compressed berth cushions will be replaced. Fire extinguishers will be installed in all reserved coaches for safety.

Doorway and gangway area will get an anti-graffiti vinyl wrapping. While air-conditioned compartments will get curtains of fine quality, coaches will be fitted with LED lights.